- 1respite (from something) a short break or escape from something difficult or unpleasant The medicine brought a brief respite from the pain. There was no respite from the suffocating heat. She continued to work without respite. respite care (= temporary care arranged for old, mentally ill, etc. people so that the people who usually care for them can have a rest) Thesaurusrest
- break
- respite
- time out
- breathing room
- rest a period of relaxing, sleeping, or doing nothing after a period of activity:We stopped for a well-deserved rest.
- break a short period of time when you stop what you are doing and rest or eat:Let's take a break.
- respite a short break from something difficult or unpleasant:The medicine brought a brief respite from the pain.
- time out (informal) time for resting or relaxing away from your usual work or studies:Let's take (some) time out to gather our thoughts.
- breathing room a short rest in the middle of a busy period:I've got very little breathing room in my afternoon schedule.
- (a) rest/break/respite/time out from something
- to have/take (a) rest/break/time out
- to give somebody (a) rest/break/respite/breathing room
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- 2a short delay allowed before something difficult or unpleasant must be done synonym reprieve His creditors agreed to give him a temporary respite.
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